This article is part of a directory: RE4 Remake: Complete Guide and Walkthrough (Updated for Separate Ways DLC)
Table of contents

In the Resident Evil 4 remake, Silent Stranger is an achievement given to players who beat the game without talking to the Merchant. On PlayStation, the Silent Stranger is a silver trophy; on Xbox, it’s worth 50 Gamescore points.

Out of all the 40 achievements in RE4, Silent Stranger is particularly challenging because it removes a fundamental mechanic: The Merchant. It forces players to avoid the strange dealer in all 16 chapters of the remake, beating the game with no selling, buying, or trading. Not to worry, though. Using the following instructions, anyone can boycott the Merchant with no harm. Here’s how to get the Silent Stranger achievement.

RELATED: Resident Evil 4 Remake: Never Heard It Coming Trophy/Achievement

Tips for Getting the Silent Stranger Achievement/Trophy

Resident Evil 4 Remake How to Get Stolen Jewel For Jewel Thief Merchant Request

Because the goal is to avoid the Merchant, players who want the Silent Stranger achievement should capitalize on looted healing items and already upgraded weapons. Buying First Aid Sprays and improving guns are two of the Merchant’s essential offers. And bypassing them would remove the need for him.

Other tips for getting the Silent Stranger include maximizing the Attache Case space, playing the game on easier difficulties, and postponing it to the second playthrough. (Read on for more.)

1. Go for It in the Second Playthrough

  • Players are advised to aim for the Silent Stranger trophy only after the first run. Since weapons and upgrades carry over to the new playthrough, NG+ requires little to no interaction with the Merchant. Although possible, getting this achievement in the first run takes a lot of work. It would require the player to beat all the boss fights with base weapons—which is beyond frustrating.

2. Play on the Assisted Mode

resident evil 4 remake difficulty options
  • Of all four difficulty settings in the Resident Evil 4 remake, the Assisted mode is the easiest one. It increases ammo drops, offers lucrative crafting results, and weakens enemies, eventually minimizing the need for the Merchant and facilitating getting the Silent Stranger achievement.

3. Declutter and Enlarge the Case in Advance

image showing how to store weapons in the resident evil 4 remake.
  • Before starting the Silent Stranger run, store unwanted weapons in the storage and upgrade the Case to its maximum capacity. These minor changes increase the room for loot, cutting the need for trading at the Merchant sites.

4. Avoid Grabbing or Discard Non-Essential Items

image showing the attache case in the resident evil 4 remake.
  • Because players won’t be able to trade unwanted materials, they are better off without picking them up. Items like Vipers that have no immediate use should stay out of the Case, allowing for enough room for essentials like First Aid Sprays, ammo boxes, guns, and herbs.

Players who don’t have the Primal Knife should always carry at least two kitchen knives. Otherwise, they will lose the ability to parry enemy attacks or stealth-killing them once their knife breaks. (Remember, the Merchant is not available to repair it.)

5. Craft Ammo and Healing Potions to Save Space

  • As a rule, players looking to get the Silent Strange achievement should craft ammo and herbs as soon as the ingredients are there. Otherwise, the Resources will clutter the Case.

6. Capitalize on Healing Case Charms

resident evil 4 remake case charm perks stat bonus reward shooting range
  • Instead of relying on the Merchant’s First Aid Sprays, use Case Charms with healing properties. Green Herb, Ashley Graham, Rhino Beetle, Chicken, Black Bass, Leader Zealot, Isabel, and Don Pedro are excellent options. These Charms increase the health recovery rate, shrugging off the Merchant’s absence.

7. Don’t Miss Out on the Requests

Resident Evil 4 Remake Merchant Request Jewel Thief
  • Although players need to talk to the Merchant to cash in the completed Requests, there’s a workaround to farm Spinel without losing the Silent Stranger achievement. By save-scumming in the last chapter, players can return all Requests to the Merchant, collect the rewarded Spinels, and proceed to get the Silent Stranger achievement. Here’s how:
  • Complete as many Requests as possible without returning them to the Merchant.
  • Save the game at the last typewriter in Chapter 16.
  • Beat the final boss and achieve the Silent Stranger trophy.
  • Load the previous save, deliver all the Requests to the Merchant, and redeem the Spinels.
  • Beat the final boss again to carry all the prizes to the next playthrough.

Players with infinite pistol ammo and the Primal Knife can get the Silent Stranger and Minimalist achievement in the same run. They must avoid talking to the Merchant and use only their handguns and knives to beat the game.

The Resident Evil 4 remake is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.